Hand 305 — Transfer then 3NT choice

Play this hand
Dealer
S
User Side
N/S
Contract
4S
Declarer
S
Tricks Makeable
11
Recommended Lead
3H
Vulnerability
None
System
SAYC

Planning

Use a Jacoby transfer to choose the correct suit while evaluating strength, shape and trick potential.

The Deal

North
Q 9 6 5 3
J 10 9
Q 9
A Q J
West
8 7 2
A 7 6 3
J 7 6 5
7 2
East
K J
Q 8 5
10 4 3
10 8 6 4 3
South
A 10 4
K 4 2
A K 8 2
K 9 5
North: 12 HCP, 5-3-2-3 (bal)
East: 6 HCP, 2-3-3-5 (bal)
South: 17 HCP, 3-3-4-3 (bal)
West: 5 HCP, 3-4-4-2 (bal)

Bidding Sequence

S W N E
1NTPass2HPass
2SPass3NTPass
4SPassPassPass

Final Comments

In a 4 spade contract we count our losers.
3 spades
2 hearts
0 diamonds
0 clubs
That is 3 losers , and our contract is safe.
The way the card lie, we lose only 1 heart, and so we make an overtrick